Measuring the success of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria: findings on the strategic and tactical outcomes of the uses of terrorism

Brenda Mugeci Githing’u, Fritz Nganje, J. Tochukwu Omenma

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

The study establishes the degree to which terrorist organisations are successful in achieving their stated goals and objectives. The analysis is undertaken within the framework of the strategic actor theory, which argues that terrorist organisations are rational actors that undertake a series of calculated actions towards the achievement of predetermined goals. The Key Performance Indicator (KPI) methodology, borrowed from the discipline of Management, was used as the analytical framework to measure the performance of the Islamic State. The study notes that the Islamic State's ideology and brand continue to attract sympathisers, but the organisation has lost significant territory, financial resources, and the ability to carry out terrorist attacks that produce mass casualties. This has undermined the attainment of its key goals of spreading radical Islam worldwide and establishing a caliphate in the Levant.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)257-277
Number of pages21
JournalInnovation: The European Journal of Social Science Research
Volume37
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Keywords

  • Islamic State
  • counterterrorism
  • measuring terrorism success
  • strategic indicators
  • terrorism goals

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geography, Planning and Development
  • Cultural Studies
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • Management of Technology and Innovation

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